When I was young, my mother told me what it was like to grow up in Berlin when Hitler and the Nazi party came to power. They personified the worst of humanity. It is unfathomable how one person caused so much misery. But he didn’t act alone. Neighbors snitched on neighbors. Families ratted out family members. And many citizens lived in silence out of fear. When she recounted stories, I often wondered why so many people were silent while an evil person caused so much death and destruction. The whole nation turned on the Jewish people. This goes to show you that just because something’s “popular” doesn’t mean it’s right. As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”
I understand that Hitler’s Third Reich controlled the media, shut down dissenting voices, and imposed severe punishment if one didn’t toe the party line. In addition, children were brainwashed and blindly followed their peers without questioning what was occurring all around them. But ask yourself, why should an innocent little girl be subjected to rocks being thrown at her by other children when she walked to school? What were they thinking? Where were their parents? And where were all the people who knew full well what was happening?
There’s a very fine line between staying silent to inhumanity, and being an active participant.
Although it pales in comparison…How often do people overlook illegal activities, cover up abuses, fail to stand up for injustice, or sit idly by while people bully their victims?
There’s No Excuse
There are several reasons why people ignore heinous behavior. First, some people simply don’t know better, although they should. Others cover up wrongdoings because they benefit personally. Furthermore, some people fear reprisal, while other folks are misguided — influenced by popular whims, misleading information, or propaganda. Last, some people think immoral behavior is excusable because, “Everybody does it,” “I was told to do it,” or “If most people believe this, who am I to question it?”
Just because it’s popular doesn’t make it right.
If a lot of people cheat, lie, or steal does that give you permission to follow suit? If your boss tells you to do something unethical does that let you off the hook? If the masses believe something, does that make it true?
If you believe everything you hear, surrender your principles, or commit acts that you know are blatantly wrong, whose fault is it? There are no excuses. You, and you alone, are responsible for your actions or inaction. Period.
People can’t make you do things without your permission.
Popular Doesn’t Always Mean Right
Just because someone pressures you to adopt their opinion or demands that you do something, doesn’t mean you should. While you may think that following the pack is a safe bet, don’t assume that they have done their due diligence. In fact, they may be dishonest, self-serving, or have a hidden agenda. And they may be leading you right off a cliff. You have an obligation to challenge popular opinion and say no! Moreover, there’s a huge difference between right and wrong. And it’s the job of decent, law-abiding citizens to point out that reality to those who have forgotten.
I’d be the first to admit that it’s exhausting to swim against the tide. It’s hard to speak up when others are silent. And it’s difficult to do what’s right instead of what’s easy. But if you don’t live with honor and integrity, you may regret it one day. You have one life to live. You can choose to be a positive force in the world or sell your soul to the highest bidder. It takes courage to stand up for what’s right. History will judge you based on your chosen path. After all, action has consequences. So does inaction.
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What Are Your Thoughts?
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Additional Reading:
Ever Hear the Excuse “Everybody Does It?”
Would You Do Something Unethical If You Could Get Away with It?
Is There a Difference Between Right and Wrong?
Where Do Bullies Learn to Be So Mean?
Forgiveness: It’s Good For You
Are You Blurring the Line Between Right and Wrong?
Groupthink: What Makes You Think Others Know Better?
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The post It May Be Popular, But Is It Right? appeared first on Frank Sonnenberg Online.
